Culver City Observer -

Missing Culver Man Found Dead

Cause of Death Still Under Investigation

A body washed up on Dockweiler State Beach has been positively identified as Jose Muniz, a missing 78 year old Culver City man who disappear from a local hospital after being brought in by ambulance.

Muniz, who reportedly suffers from dementia, was reported missing at the Culver City Police Department by a family member.

On Monday, June 10 at approximately 9 pm Muniz walked away from a local hospital where he was being treated hours earlier. According the Culver City Police Department “Muniz was immediately entered into the missing persons database, a systematic grid search for Muniz was conducted, and the information was shared with surrounding police agencies.”

The next day an unidentified body was found by beach-goers, who then summoned nearby lifeguards. Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Homicide Investigators were called to the scene and the body was removed by the Los Angeles Count Coroner for identification and autopsy.

The Coroner’s Office advised the Culver City Police Department on June 16 that the body was that of Muniz.

According to a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s department, finding no apparent signs of foul play the investigation into Muniz’ death is currently being handled by the coroner’s office pending a determination on the cause of death.

Also, still in question is how the man with no visible transportation traveled the eight miles from Culver City, ending up in the ocean near the end of the runways at LAX, and how Muniz ended up in the ocean.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Lieutenant Jason Sims of the Culver City Police Department at (310) 253-6262.